In Her Words: Sylvia Earle on Women in Science

June 14, 2013—On June 13, aquanaut, oceanographer and marine biologist Sylvia Earle received the Hubbard Medal, the National Geographic Society's highest honor, for distinction in exploration, discovery and research. In light of recent public discussions about women in the sciences, National Geographic asked Sylvia to discuss her experiences as a woman in a field previously considered a man's world.

In Her Words: Sylvia Earle on Women in Science

June 14, 2013—On June 13, aquanaut, oceanographer and marine biologist Sylvia Earle received the Hubbard Medal, the National Geographic Society's highest honor, for distinction in exploration, discovery and research. In light of recent public discussions about women in the sciences, National Geographic asked Sylvia to discuss her experiences as a woman in a field previously considered a man's world.

I have parents who made me believe that it was okay to do things no matter what.

I have an older brother and a younger brother. And I was one of the boys, if you will [Laughs]. Tomboy, if you will.

Although my mother did say when I was a teenager that I could look forward to a career perhaps as a teacher, as a nurse, something really exciting-I could be an airline stewardess. Not a pilot, not a doctor, you know, not a superintendent of schools. It was just the way things were.

Why shouldn't I be able to use the capabilities that I have to do what my brother could do or Cousteau did? Along the way I found that many people did think it was, not just unusual, but preposterous. [Laughs]

When I was selected to be an aquanaut for a mission in 1970 it was still considered to be unusual enough for women to want to be underwater explorers. The application for being a part of that didn't even bother to say that you had to be a man, unlike the astronaut program that was going on at that time. It was clear: this was for men only.

But the head of the program for the tech-type project that had men and women living underwater for two weeks at a time was philosophical about it. More than that, he was practical. He said, "Well, half the fish are female. I guess we can put up with a few women." The Navy personnel involved were not quite so enthusiastic about it.

There's no question about it that there is still a gender bias with compensation for equal performance, so selection to be in charge of various projects. It's just part of our culture.

But I have say that it is exciting to see women CEOs. I've personally have served on the boards of major corporations. But always in the minority, always in the minority. And there is this attitude sometimes that you're there because you are a woman. You are the token woman.

Today, young women wanting to be oceanographers find that the doors are open. You can go aboard ships. You can be Chief Scientist on expeditions at sea.

In Her Words: Sylvia Earle on Women in Science

June 14, 2013—On June 13, aquanaut, oceanographer and marine biologist Sylvia Earle received the Hubbard Medal, the National Geographic Society's highest honor, for distinction in exploration, discovery and research. In light of recent public discussions about women in the sciences, National Geographic asked Sylvia to discuss her experiences as a woman in a field previously considered a man's world.